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CINCINNATI — A homeless man and another who was recently homeless are being hailed as heroes for
coming to the aid of a man who was being robbed in downtown Cincinnati.

Gary Wagner was being attacked at an ATM when the two men intervened and wrestled him free,
police said. One of them stayed with Wagner while the other ran after the suspect and stood in
front of his car until officers arrived.

“I think it was a courageous and unselfish act,” said Cincinnati Police Capt. Gary Lee. “It’s a
perfect example of what can happen when the citizens and police work in partnership.”

Both men are military veterans who didn’t know each other before the Monday encounter. David
Hale just got off the streets, and Chad McClain — who ran after the suspect — is living in a
shelter.

Both men said they would hope anyone else would do the same.

“I was compelled to do something,” said McClain, 38. “I just couldn’t stand by and see somebody
be victimized. I didn’t really think about myself.”

The 46-year-old Hale said his “instincts kicked in at the right time.” He added that he
understands that people get desperate: “There are other ways to reach out and get help (than)
turning to crime and hurting another individual.”

Wagner, 54, said he wants to do something to help the two men who helped him.

The 45-year-old suspect, Louis Stevenson, was being held yesterday on $250,000 bail in the
Hamilton County jail on charges of robbery and obstruction. His attorney, Edward T. Kathman, had no
immediate comment yesterday. He said he hadn’t met with his client.